Advanced Search

Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

MUE:
Did You Catch CMS's Unveiling of Medically Unlikely Edits?
Find out why Medicare denies your second slide consult. The once-secret limit to the nu... Read more
CCI Says:
Choose Only 1 Flow Cytometry Interpretation Code
Take this modifier 59 check-up, too. Selecting just one code from 88187-88189 for your ... Read more
Get the Final Word on Physician-Signature Debate
Perform diagnostic tests without a signed order --here's how. If past Medicare directio... Read more
Reader Questions:
Correctly Bill Unlisted Procedures --" Here's How
Question: When we perform an unlisted procedure such as a CPAS urinalysis, how should we... Read more
Reader Questions:
Keep Up with CLIA-Waived Test Changes
Question: We are a CLIA-waived lab. How do we keep abreast of changes to the list of tes... Read more
Reader Questions:
Don't Miss the ICD-10 Boat
Question: I read about the transition to ICD-10 in your last issue. How are these diagno... Read more
Reader Questions:
Capture Multiple Analyzer Steps
Question: Our lab identified Proteus rettgeri from a wound culture, and performed suscep... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Do This for Cyto-Histo Correlation
Question: When our pathologist reads an abnormal Pap smear, we charge 88141. When the pa... Read more
Sneak Preview:
Get Ready for 2009 Laboratory Codes Now
Prepare to update how you code MPO and DCP. From a marker for myocardial infarction (MI) ... Read more
Clip and Save Chart:
Jump Start Your Preparation for 2009 Lab Codes
Study this table for clinical laboratory tests. CMS recently posted the new lab test code... Read more
Decode Prostate Terminology and Translate to Proper Pay
Recognize when multiple units can help your bottom line. TUR, saturation, needle, subtota... Read more
Diagnosis Coding:
Transition to ICD-10 Could Be Just 3 Years Away
Heads up -- you-ll need some time to learn the ropes. You thought getting ready for ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Point to Urine Codes for Prostate Secretion
Question: Our lab receives two urine specimens from a urologist, one labeled -express pros... Read more
Reader Questions:
Don't Double Dip Blood Smear Interpretation
Question: On review of peripheral smear slides from a CBC, the cytotechnologist noted imma... Read more
Reader Questions:
Consider Final Diagnosis
Question: Our pathologist received a uterus with a pre-op diagnosis of uterine prolapse an... Read more
Reader Questions:
Make Sure You Know QW's Limits
Question: Our lab operates under a CLIA certificate of waiver. Do we need to use modifier ... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Clarify Touch Prep Specimens and Sites
Question: We have a case in which the pathologist performed touch preps on three separate ... Read more
Master Breast Pathology Coding With These 4 Tips
Make sure you distinguish aspiration specimens -- find out how. If you don't know needles... Read more
Learn the Truth Behind the 2008 PQRI Bonus Rumor
Use alternative reporting period to prepare for 2009. If you think that pathology measure... Read more
Reader Question:
Don't Miss 'Grandfather' Extension
Question: Our lab bills our Medicare carrier for the technical component of pathology serv... Read more
Reader Question:
Conform to CLIA's Uric Acid Coding
Question: Our physician-office lab uses the Abaxis xpress blood chemistry analyzer and oft... Read more
Reader Question:
Look Out for 80047 Pay
Question: We-ve seen our payment drop for the basic metabolic panel code that CPT introduc... Read more
Reader Question:
Report Drug-Monitoring V Code
Question: When our lab performs repeat glucose testing for a patient with gestational diab... Read more
ICD-9 Update:
Brace Yourself for a Plethora of New Pap Test Codes
Discover a new way to report vaginal findings. You already know to look to ICD-9 catego... Read more
ICD-9 Update:
Take on 796.7 for Accurate Anal Pap Smear Coding
Stop using -other site- for anal smears. Starting Oct. 1, you won't have catch-all code... Read more
CMS Regulatory Update:
Zero In On Correct 'Date of Service'
Treat pathology technical component like lab specimen. Don't get caught unawares w... Read more
Make Sure You Get Travel Allowance for Specimen Collection
Medicare will pay for trips to nursing homes or homebound patients. If the cost of fuel... Read more
Reader Questions:
Beware Coverage Limits for Fecal DNA Test
Question: Our lab wants to start using PreGen-Plus, a commercially-available DNA stool t... Read more
Reader Questions:
Understand Modifier 59 Column Distinction
Question: When we need to override an edit pair that CCI lists in the "mutually exclusiv... Read more
Reader Questions:
Use Screening Pap Code Regardless of Findings
Question: If our lab runs a screening Pap smear but the findings are abnormal, should we... Read more
Reader Questions:
Identify GTT by 'Glucose Challenge'
Question: A physician ordered seven glucose blood tests over a three hour time period, i... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Distinguish Specimens and Antibodies for Breast Case
Question: For a breast case, we used an AE1/AE3 immunostain on serial sections from mult... Read more
ICD-9 Update:
Let Diagnosis Changes Catapult Your October Lab Claims to Success
Don't lose medical-necessity clout by missing new codes. If you don't get your 2009 ICD... Read more
Clip-and-Save Chart:
Get a Grip on New ICD-9 Codes That Affect Your Lab
From carcinoid tumor to Pap smears, make sure you-re ready for diagnosis. With more th... Read more
ICD-9 Update:
Don't Get Caught Using 2008 'Benign' and 'Malignant' Codes for Carcinoid Tumors
Pathologists must assign 209.xx for neuroendocrine cancer. Soon you-ll no longer choose... Read more
Reader Questions:
Infectious Agent Stands Alone
Question: When billing for infectious agent tests such as Chlamydia (87491) and gonorrhe... Read more
Reader Questions:
Watch Ovary/Fallopian Tube Bundles
Question: Our pathologist received an ovary with an attached fallopian tube. Although th... Read more
Reader Questions:
Use Cystatin C for Renal Function
Question: When our lab tests for serum creatinine and cystatin C for patients with kidne... Read more
Reader Questions:
Beware Counterstain Charge
Question: When we use an immunohistochemistry stain to identify Melan-A positive melanoc... Read more
Reader Questions:
Capture New VRE Code
Question: A hospitalized patient developed a urinary tract infection following removal o... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Heads Up for Colon Donut Debate
Question: Our pathologist examined a colon resection for tumor and also examined two col... Read more
5 Steps Net Surgical Consult Pay -- Every Time
Learn to maneuver 88329-88334 pitfalls and possibilities Specimens, blocks, sites -- if... Read more
3 Scenarios Test Your Surgical Consultation Savvy
Zero in on blocks and sites to bring every penny in the door Now that you know the rule... Read more
New ABN Solves Noncovered Test Woes -- Here's How
Use universal form to ensure lab test pay If your payer denies coverage because you can... Read more
Reader Questions:
Don't Miss New Retrograde Ejaculation Code
Question: A physician ordered an automated urinalysis with a microscopic exam for retrog... Read more
Reader Questions:
Zero In on Tracheal Aspirate Methods
Question: We received a "tracheal aspirate for cytologic evaluation" consisting of 3 cc ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Document 2 Flu-Strain Test
Question: We use the BinaxNOW influenza A and B testing kit, which gives results for bot... Read more
Reader Questions:
Clarify E/M Requirements With FNA
Question: When our pathologist performs an FNA extraction, he generally documents speaki... Read more
Reader Questions:
Clarify Screening Pap Ordering Diagnosis
Question: We-re getting denials when physicians order screening Pap smears as part of th... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Beware of Manual Diff Reflex
Question: If a physician orders a CBC with automated differential but the test results r... Read more
CCI Says:
Pick 1 Code for Organism Identification …quot; or Else
Watch for new Mohs edits, too Coding principle: You can't bill for a primary-source infec... Read more
Test Your PQRI Coding Knowledge With a Quick Quiz
Answer correctly and capture Medicare bonus pay Last month our experts gave you a Physici... Read more
Reporting PQRI? Independent-Laboratory Pathologists, Beware
 Learn how CMS bombshell could imperil your bonus pay If you-re a pathologist employ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Let 'Method' Drive Your Urinalysis Claims
Question: Our lab performs urinalysis using a chem-strip method. What is the proper code?K... Read more
Reader Questions:
Count Biochemical Tests for Proteus Identification
Question: We cultured a septic lesion from a burn patient and identified the organism as P... Read more
Reader Questions:
Keep Track of HPV Coverage Rules
Question: For a patient whose thin-prep Pap test showed LGSIL, our lab performed low-ris... Read more
Reader Questions:
Add Up IHC …quot; Here's How
 Question: We performed manual morphometric Her-2/neu, ER and PR on bilateral breast ... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Avoid Fibroid Coding Pitfalls
Question: Our pathologist received three large uterine masses and diagnosed each as a fibr... Read more
Pay Attention to Pathology PQRI and Get Medicare Bonus Pay
Take advantage of reportable measures for breast and colon cancer The Physician Qualit... Read more
Don't Miss Quality Opportunity for Clinical Labs
Learn how you can benefit from PQRI Although they-re not eligible for reporting and gar... Read more
Colon Cancer Screening:
Steer Clear of 82272 or Lose Medicare Pay
Watch out for FOBT G codes Whether a fecal specimen is from a digital rectal exam (DRE)... Read more
Make Sure You're Using the Right FOBT Coverage Rules
Don't confuse lab NCD with colorectal cancer screening You have to distinguish between ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Don't Let 'Sinus Contents' Confuse You
Question: When the pathology report identifies a specimen as "sinus contents" and has a ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Make Sure NPI Is on Track
Question: I-ve already started using my NPI number, but now my FI is telling me there's ... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Use the Right PSA Ordering
Question: When a physician orders a PSA test for a patient with BPH and the results show... Read more
Ramp Up Your Multiplex Amplification Coding With These Tips
Understand lab procedures -- or lose rightful pay When you-re billing for molecular dia... Read more
4 Steps Ensure Proper Pay for Heart Screening Test
Abide by 5-year rule or risk denials Labs that perform heart-disease screening tests ar... Read more
Know the 'Signal' to Keep Molecular Diagnostics Coding on 'Target'
Enhance your coding savvy with 5 definitions You can't avoid technical jargon if you wa... Read more
News You Can Use:
Don't Count on Current Medicare Rate -- Here's Why
Hold on to the -grandfather- exception for now After the threat of a 10.1 percent Medic... Read more
Reader Questions:
Don't Miss Reverse Transcription Pay
Question: What is reverse transcription, and how should I code for the procedure? Washi... Read more
Reader Questions:
Beware Cytogenetics Interpretation Pitfall
Question: Our lab performs a chromosome analysis of amniotic fluid that involves perform... Read more
Reader Questions:
Master Non-Gyn Cytology With These 'Filtration' Tips
Question: We received a CSF specimen that we vacuum washed on a cellulose filter to prep... Read more
Reader Questions:
Finesse Surgical Consult Codes to Get Correct Pay
Question: Our pathologist consulted on a thyroidectomy during surgery. He performed a fr... Read more
Reader Questions:
Capture Additional Stool Culture Steps
Question: Our lab performed a standard stool culture with additional plates as follows: ... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Update HPV ICD-9 Codes or Miss Screening Pay
Question: When our clients order a screening HPV test using the appropriate screening IC... Read more
Don't Freeze Up Over Fewer Cryopreservation Choices
CCI deletions highlight G-code ouster You won't have G0265 and G0266 to kick around any... Read more
Location, Location, Location Is Key to 'Giant Cell Tumor' Coding
Document soft-tissue mass or settle for tendon-sheath pay When your pathologist diagnos... Read more
Reader Questions:
Watch for MUE Modifier
Question: If our lab can show medical necessity for multiple units of a single procedure... Read more
Reader Questions:
Don't Miss Out on p63/AMACR Pay
Question: Our pathologist uses an antibody "cocktail" stain for prostate biopsies called... Read more
Reader Questions:
Limit 'Second Opinion' Consults for Medicare
Question: I-ve always understood that we can report consultations on slides or tissues r... Read more
Reader Questions:
Zero In on Wet Mount Differences
Question: Suspecting a vaginal infection when a patient presents for a Pap test, the phy... Read more
Reader Questions:
Hemoglobin A1C Testing
Question: I-ve heard that there is a new G code for hemoglobin A1C testing, but I just g... Read more
Reader Questions:
Let Final Diagnosis Guide Colon Pay
Question: Our pathologist examines a colon resection with a final diagnosis of Crohn'... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Learn Rules for Stand-Alone Flow Cytometry Interpretation
Question: We have a reference lab performing our flow cytometry panels, but our patholog... Read more
CPT 2008:
3 Modifier Changes Your Lab Needs to Know Now
Meet the new documentation rules head-on or risk denials If you use modifiers to report... Read more
Clip-and-Save Chart:
Put These Common Lab Modifiers in Your 'Coding Toolbox'
Describe procedure status to ensure clean claims Repeat services, send-out services, co... Read more
CPT 2008:
Boost Your Basic Metabolic Panel Claims -- Watch for 80047
Ionized calcium distinguishes new basic metabolic panel Get ready to change how you cod... Read more
Correction
Correction: A typographical error identifying a bone marrow biopsy extraction as "38220"... Read more
Reader Questions:
Look for New CLIA-Waived Lipid Tests
Question: Our point-of-service lab often uses a desk-top analyzer to perform alanine ami... Read more
Reader Questions:
Catch Decalcification's Professional Side
Question: When can I bill for the professional component of decalcification? This seems ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Count Each Immunofluorescent Antibody
Question: Our pathologist examined a kidney biopsy using the following special "IF" stai... Read more
Reader Questions:
Beware of Ordering Diagnosis -- Here's Why
Question: Our pathologist receives a skin specimen labeled "atypical growth of left ear.... Read more
Reader Questions:
Avoid This Mastectomy Pitfall and Get Extra Pay
Question: The pathologist examined two sentinel lymph nodes, marked and separately ident... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Zero In on Pap Interpretation Requirements
Question: A physician sends a Pap smear to the pathologist for interpretation based on t... Read more
Respiratory Virus Code Starts Jan. 1 -- What You Need to Know Now
Get paid with specific chemistry and microbiology codes If you-ve been wondering how to... Read more
3 Ways to Prepare Your Lab for 'Unlisted Antigen' Changes
Watch for 2 new codes to replace 86586 You just got used to using 86586 for unlisted ce... Read more
CPT 2008 Clip and Save:
Master Lab and Pathology Changes -- Start Today
Don't miss revisions in chemistry, immunology, surgical pathology and more Avoid denial... Read more
Fine-Tune Skin Test Immunology Coding
CPT 2008 returns the -unlisted antigen- option CPT's removal of 86586 from the "skin te... Read more
Reader Questions:
Jump On Cell Block Opportunity
Question: We received 400 cc of fluid from a pelvic washing that we processed as three c... Read more
Reader Questions:
Watch for Screening Frequency Limits
Question: We often receive Medicare denials for screening cholesterol or lipid tests eve... Read more
Reader Questions:
Add Up Urine Culture Steps
Question: Our lab performed a urine culture that resulted in presumptive identification ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Watch Medical Necessity for ESR
Question: When our lab performs an erythrocyte sedimentation rate that the physician use... Read more
Reader Questions:
Modifier 59 Documentation a 'Must' -- Here's Why
Question: Do we have to provide documentation when our pathologist uses modifier 59 to b... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Tread Carefully on 88172 Technical Component
Question: When our lab processes a fine needle aspiration to evaluate adequacy while the... Read more
Available Years:  2008  2007  2006  2005  2004  2003  2002  2001  2000